NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

March 8, 1999

CONTACT: Ralph Laprairie (561) 791-4730

FAMILY FUN FISHING DAY COMES TO OKEEHEELEE PARK

A free Family Fun Fishing Day will be held at Alligator Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park from 8:30 a.m. until noon, Saturday, March 13, under the sponsorship of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.

Fisheries biologists will provide basic fishing instruction for participants. Rods-and-reels along with bait will be available on loan. Further information may be obtained by calling: (561) 791-4730.

Lake Okeeheelee and other urban lakes are managed by the FWC in cooperation with county recreational departments. FWC fisheries biologists developed a comprehensive fishery management plan to make these urban lakes attractive to area residents who might not have the time or resources to fish the Everglades or Lake Okeechobee.

The lakes are enhanced by periodic stockings of channel catfish, supplemental feeding by automated, solar-powered fish feeders, placement of underwater structures to serve as fish attractors, and installation of aerators which allows for maximum growth of the lake's resident fish population.

The money for the urban fishing program is derived from an excise tax on the sale of tackle, motorboat fuel, trolling motors, and other sport fishing equipment. Federal Sport Fish Restoration Funds pay $84,175 each year or 75 percent of the program budget. The state pays the remaining 25 percent.

The majority of the money is invested in fishery enhancement efforts at urban lakes in south Florida. These include the Okeeheelee Fish Management Area in West Palm Beach, the Caloosa Fish Management Area in Boynton Beach, the Plantation Heritage Fish Management Area in Plantation, and the Tropical Park Fish Management Area in Miami.